ANBU Root

Base of Operations: Hidden Village
Classification: Specialized Ninja Squad
Member Appearances: Sai, Danzou

The ANBU Ne, meaning Root, is a subfaction of the ANBU operated by elder ninja Danzou. Danzou operated in opposition to Sarutobi the Sandaime Hokage. Danzou was once up for the position of Sandaime Hokage but was turned down because of his hawkish militaristic stance. While the normal ANBU operates under the direct leadership of the Hokage, the Root faction operated from out of view "below the ground" to support the great tree that was Konoha. Members of Root were to only focus on the mission at hand, leaving their emotions, past, future and very name behind. Once Sarutobi gained enough control over Konoha, he ordered Root disbanded. Danzou carried on it secret however, seeking to help Konoha from the shadows.

Danzou made one of his most bold and blatant moves as Root leader by ordering his soldier Sai to accompany Naruto, Yamato and Sakura on their journey to meet Sasori's spy. Sai would carry out his orders without the others being aware.